The Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg will be reverberating with the noise of thousands of football fans once the football World Cup comes around months from now, but for the moment, its indoor facility is host to two teams preparing for a tennis battle.

India and South Africa have been absent from the roll-call of the Davis Cup World Group since 1998, and while both would’ve fancied their chances of victory this weekend, now the Indians look as though they’re standing on slightly shaky ground.

Apart from Leander Paes’s absence due to injury, the high altitude of Johannesburg will also be a factor. India’s No 1 player, Somdev Devvarman is coming off a Grand Slam breakthrough at the US Open, but the second singles player, Rohan Bopanna, hasn’t had much match practice due to an injury layoff. He may be called into action on all three days of the September 18-20 tie, as doubles duty with Mahesh Bhupathi could also be part of his itinerary.

“Our chances are 50-50. Leander has carried this team for the longest time and he will be missed. But we have to focus on getting the job done,” Devvarman said from South Africa.

The 24-year-old has been practising with Bopanna for the past few days and says he is prepared for any role within the team. “I’m playing well and have got some good matches under my belt. These conditions are totally different as the ball travels through the air much faster in high altitude. Rohan and I have been practising since Sunday.”

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